Translation and Meaning of: げっそり - gessori

If you have ever felt extremely discouraged or exhausted after a tough day, you might find that the Japanese use the word げっそり (gessori) to describe this state. This term captures the feeling of physical and emotional weariness, often associated with an unexpected shock or disappointment. In this article, we will explore the meaning, everyday usage, and cultural nuances of this expression, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively.

げっそり is one of those words that doesn't have an exact translation in English, but its meaning can be approximated as "to feel down" or "to wither". It frequently appears in informal conversations and even in mangas and dramas, depicting situations where someone suddenly loses their energy. If you are learning Japanese, understanding its context of use can help prevent misunderstandings and enrich your emotional vocabulary.

Meaning and use of げっそり

げっそり describes a state of intense weakness or discouragement, usually caused by an impactful event. It can be used for both physical and emotional states, such as when someone suddenly loses weight due to an illness or is devastated after bad news. The word carries a connotation of visible change, as if the person "withers" before your eyes.

A common example is its use in phrases like げっそり瘦せる (gessori yaseru), which means "to lose weight drastically". It also appears in contexts of disappointment, such as 試験に落ちてげっそりした (shiken ni ochite gessori shita), or "I felt down for failing the exam". Unlike words like 疲れた (tsukareta, "tired"), げっそり implies a more profound and sudden effect.

Origin and cultural curiosities

It is believed that げっそり emerged during the Edo period as an onomatopoeia to describe something that wilts or shrinks. Some linguists associate its sound with the idea of something "deflating" or losing vigor, which explains its use for physical and emotional states. There is no official kanji for the word, which reinforces its descriptive and colloquial nature.

In Japanese culture, げっそり is often used in situations where there is a break in expectations. For example, in stories of samurais or modern dramas, a character may げっそりする upon discovering a betrayal. This word reflects an important cultural aspect: the appreciation of resilience, making its opposite (crumbling in the face of adversity) something noteworthy.

How to memorize and use correctly

An effective way to remember げっそり is to associate it with images of something that "wilts" quickly, like a deflating balloon or a drying plant. This visual connection helps to recall its meaning of physical or emotional collapse. Jotting down everyday sentences where it appears, such as in anime scenes or song lyrics, also solidifies the learning.

Avoid using げっそり to describe common tiredness – it requires an element of shock or a sudden change. If you say げっそりした after a bad night's sleep, it will sound exaggerated. Save it for moments where there was a clear impact, such as a significant loss or a scare that "knocked" someone down. Mastering these nuances will make your Japanese sound more natural and precise.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• げっくり (gekkuri) - Feeling of surprise or shock, usually negative.
• がっくり (gakkuri) - Discouragement or emotional breakdown, indicating a great disappointment.
• げっそりと (gessori to) - Expresses a state of being very thin or exhausted, usually due to stress.
• げっそりした (gessori shita) - Describes someone who appears exhausted or very thin due to difficult circumstances.
• がっくりと (gakkuri to) - Indicates a sudden drop in morale or energy, especially after a disappointment.
• がっくりした (gakkuri shita) - Refers to someone who feels discouraged or disappointed after a negative experience.

げっそり

Romaji: gessori
Kana: げっそり
Type: adverb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: being discouraged; lose weight

Meaning in English: being disheartened;losing weight

Definition: The body is thin, weak, and feeble. Moreover, this.

Example Sentences - (げっそり) gessori

See below some example sentences:

私はげっそりと疲れています。

Watashi wa gessori to tsukarete imasu

I'm exhausted

I am tired.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• げっそり (gessori) - adverb meaning "exhausted"
• と (to) - particle indicating the connection between "exhausted" and "tired"
• 疲れています (tsukareteimasu) - verb meaning "to be tired"